Manchester International Festival 2025 – Low Kee Hong, creative director on first day, Shilpa Gupta…
More to follow with a full report of our visit to MIF 2025… (see social media videos too)…
THERE’S still more than a week to go of Manchester International Festival and several exhibitions do continue after the formal end of the fest on July 20.
We were in Manchester last week – and caught up with Manchester International Festival creative director Low Kee Hong who spoke to us about the big shows and what he was trying to bring to the city in what is the fourth MIF since its inception in 2007.
The festival is themed around the idea of ‘Dream Differently’.
A multi-arts festival which takes place in myriad venues, it now has a central hub – Aviva Studios which is fully functional for this festival, having opened in 2023 but parts were still under construction.
On July 3, the opening – among the highlights were ‘The Herds’, FAFSWAG/Fale Se and the new show, ‘A Single Man’ – a ballet with live vocal music. We attended the world premiere at Aviva Studios and there was a huge after party in the area immediately outside which is also partially covered. (See our Instagram for this).
Developed by the main arts organisation Factory International, we speak to Hong after the opening and get his early impressions on the artists and artworks which we saw (see article on www.asianculturevulture.com for more) and what is coming up now and has just opened…
See Instagram for overall MIF opening day and #FootballCityArtUnited involving international football players and artists with former Manchester United star and Spain World Cup winner Juan Mata renewing and expanding on his role since 2023 in this brand new show which also features other high profile players including Eric Cantona, and Edgar Davids.
A Big Talent Media production for http://www.asianculturevulture.com
Non-professional video (Sailesh Ram)
Editing: Harry Clegg
